Former UD basketball player, Chris Frazier, Pursues Pro Career Back Home

Nov 10, 2014

MAGDEBURG, Germany – Former University of Dubuque men’s basketball player and Heidelberg, Germany native, Chris Frazier ’14, landed in familiar territory after securing a spot on the German pro circuit with the Otto Baskets in Magdeburg, Germany.

The Otto Baskets are a newer organization that is a part of the ProB league, also known as the third highest level of club basketball in Germany. Frazier looks to ascend the hierarchy of German professional basketball as he pursues level two (ProA) and the top level (BBL).

"That's where I would like to be in the next two years (BBL), to be able to play against the best players here in Germany,” said Frazier, a former three-time All-Europe selection as a prep, about his early aspirations.

The BBL (Basketball Bundesliga) has no shortage of talent and is the best that Germany has to offer. There is plenty of opportunity as the BBL features 18 teams, ProA has 16 teams, and ProB consists of 25 clubs split into two divisions. Players hail from all over the world and includes an assortment of European pros and a healthy dose of former NCAA Division I talent.

Despite being one of the few Division III players on the circuit and the only one on the Baskets roster, Frazier is off to a fast start after he was brought in without a tryout.

“I was the first person they signed to the new team without having to tryout. They liked what they saw in my highlight film I made while playing at UD, and they took me in with open arms transforming me into a point-guard,” said Frazier.

His experience as a Spartan is paying early dividends and has allowed him to fill up the stat sheet an ocean away. His transition to point-guard may have to wait after putting up solid numbers as the starting off-guard:

Stat

Results

GP

8

MPG

35.9*

FGM-FGA (%)

16-40 (40.0%)

3PM-3PA (%)

18*-55* (32.7%*)

FTM-FTA (%)

11-11 (100%*)

PPG

12.1

RPG

4.4

APG

1.6

SPG

1.3

*Leads team

Frazier’s contributions have had mixed team results after a 3-5 start. Much like European professional soccer, there is opportunity for promotion and demotion between the three tiers depending on a team’s final standing. Every year the bottom two teams are relegated to the tier below and vice-versa for the top two teams in ProA and ProB.

In a similar manner, Frazier has an opportunity to play up if his team should qualify for the German Cup, featuring all BBL teams and select others. The Baskets will have plenty of time to forge a championship team with a season that runs from October 3rd – March 7th and plays 23 regular season games.

The comfort of playing close to home - Magdeburg is located four-and-a-half hours north of Heidelberg - lends him confidence and helps fuel his determination.

"With the people I knew back home I knew I could land a job somewhere here in Germany, continue to do what I love to do, and get paid while doing it", Frazier says.

The 6-foot sniper is giving the baskets their money’s worth after one of the winningest careers in UD history. In four years under the helm of Coach Robbie Sieverding, Frazier and his teammates won 77 games from 2010-2014. He was also a key component in their 2012-13 IIAC Tournament Championship run after he racked up 39 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists in three games.

Frazier is the 22nd player in UD history to reach 1,000 points and sits 13th all-time on the Spartan scoring list. He is a three-time All-Iowa Conference performer (2013 – 2nd team, 2012 – 1st team, and 2011 – HM) that missed just two games during his entire career.

His three-year numbers from 2011-2014:

Stat

Result

GP-GS

79-79

MPG

32.1

FGM-FGA (%)

369-789 (46.8%)

3PM-3PA (%)

214-507 (42.2%)

FTM-FTA (%)

116-132 (87.9%)

PPG

13.5

RPG

3.2

APG

1.3

SPG

0.7

Coach Sieverding applauded his consistent production and sees a bright future for Frazier.

“Chris worked extremely hard during his four years at our University and I couldn’t be more excited for him and his opportunity to continue playing basketball back in Germany. We look forward to following his progress as he starts his professional career back home.”

He will continue his journey through the German ranks as he suits up this Saturday for game number nine at home in Magdeburg, Germany.